Predictably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Predictably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is expected or anticipated based on previous knowledge or experience. Example: "Predictably, the team won the championship after their impressive season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Terrorism (including Irish terrorism) emerged as the No 1 priority, followed, less predictably, by cyberwarfare.

The Guardian - Opinion

Christie, viewed by many as the most moderate would-be candidate in attendance, reeled off impressive statistics from his re-election victory in New Jersey last year as he received a predictably lukewarm response from the conservative-leaning audience.

The Guardian

The social media reaction was predictably strong, with the hashtag #strugglestreet again trending at No.1 on the Nielsen Twitter TV Ratings.

The Guardian

The world community responds predictably: diplomacy, sanctions, supporting the internal dissent in the terrorist "safe haven" countries, eventually ordering special military units to deploy and retaliate.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The US government, just as they did with other whistleblowers, immediately and predictably destroyed any possibility of a fair trial at home, openly declaring me guilty of treason and that the disclosure of secret, criminal, and even unconstitutional acts is an unforgivable crime.

The Guardian

According to the poster, it was an attempt to bring "the street sensation that's sweeping the nation" to the masses, yet the decision to cast really awful non-rapping actor Mario Van Peebles as a really-not-awful rapper proved predictably troublesome.

The Guardian - Film

(Those bastards at Cadbury have been torturing me lately with their ceaseless innovations, perhaps most deviously by inserting cheese biscuits – cheese biscuits – into their chocolate, with predictably sexual results).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Oscars, predictably, entirely ignored it, and a smattering of other bodies gave it nods, mostly for its score by Mica Levi.

The Guardian - Film

With an overall budget of £8m, the tabloid press is predictably whingeing about them costing £1m each.

The Guardian - Arts

Many investors will have died in the 20 years since Polly Peck plummeted from the FTSE 100 to ruin faster, and rather less predictably, than Icarus.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Stalin does nyet look like new ager, nyet way," wrote one reader, rather predictably named Boris.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Predictably" to concisely convey that an outcome was expected based on previous knowledge or established patterns. It adds a sense of inevitability or lack of surprise to the statement.

Common error

Avoid overusing "Predictably" in formal or academic writing, as it can sometimes come across as dismissive or condescending. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "as expected" or "unsurprisingly" for a more objective tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "Predictably" modifies a verb or clause, indicating that an action or event occurred as expected. Ludwig AI confirms this usage. It serves to highlight the lack of surprise associated with the event, often based on prior knowledge or established patterns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Film

10%

Sport

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Travel

2%

Lifestyle

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Predictably" is a versatile adverb that indicates something occurs as expected, highlighting a lack of surprise. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While appropriate for various contexts, including news and opinion pieces, it should be used judiciously in formal writing to avoid sounding dismissive. Consider alternatives like "as expected" or "unsurprisingly" for a more objective tone. The term is very common in News and media. Remember to use "Predictably" when you want to emphasize that an outcome was foreseeable based on previous knowledge or patterns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

As expected

A more concise and direct way to express something happening according to expectations.

Unsurprisingly

Highlights the lack of surprise due to the expected nature of the event.

Foreseeably

Emphasizes the ability to see the outcome in advance.

Inevitably

Suggests that the outcome was unavoidable and certain to happen.

As anticipated

Similar to "as expected", but slightly more formal.

It was to be expected

Expresses that something should have been anticipated.

It figures

An informal phrase indicating something is not surprising, often with a negative connotation.

In keeping with expectations

Highlights that an event occurred according to established or communicated expectations.

According to expectations

Expresses that an event matches what was anticipated.

As things turned out

Implies that events unfolded in a foreseeable manner, often after some uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "Predictably" in a sentence?

You can use "Predictably" to indicate that something happened as expected. For instance, "Predictably, the stock market crashed after the economic report was released".

What are some alternatives to "Predictably"?

Alternatives include "as expected", "unsurprisingly", or "inevitably", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "Predictably"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "Predictably". It functions as an adverb modifying the entire sentence, indicating that the event described was foreseeable.

What's the difference between "Predictably" and "Surprisingly"?

"Predictably" indicates an expected outcome, whereas "Surprisingly" indicates an unexpected one. For example, "Predictably, the movie was a box office hit because of the hype, but "surprisingly, the sequel was better" than the original".